Free things to do in Farnborough

9 places in Farnborough with free entry or no charge, based on guide listings and map data.

Ranked with the travel guide's picks and well-known places first.

Photo: Simon Boddy from Maidenhead, Uk, CC BY-SA 2.0 (licence)

SeeMuseum
Farnborough Air Sciences Trust Museum
FAST
Local gem dedicated to retelling Farnborough's extensive aviation history, from early balloons and canvas aircraft, through the world wars, the first jet engines, wind tunnel trials, supersonic flight and space exploration. Static aircraft on display include a Hawker Hunter, Harrier T4, Lightning, Puma and Gazelle, which you can sit inside. Or you can try your hand at flying in one of the cockpit simulators. The Cody pavilion houses a scale replica of the pioneer's first plane and an exhibition on his exciting life. However, the museum's greatest assets are its volunteers, who are genuine experts on the exhibits and are always keen (occasionally a little too keen!) to impart their knowledge.
Sat Sun bank holiday Mon 10AM-4PMFree; donations welcome. Small shop and café on-site · Free entry · Wheelchair accessible
BuyFlea market
Farnborough Market
Colourful street market with a variety of stalls selling fruit and veg, meat, cheese, bread and pastries, clothing and carpets.
Tue Fri 9AM-4PMFree
Buy
Farnborough Craft Fayre
Handmade bags, needle work, jewellery, knitwear, candles and more.
3rd Sat of every month 9AM-4PMFree
See
Scout Experimental SE5A fighter plane
A replica of the first ever aircraft built by the RAE's factory at Farnborough. This model represents that which was flown by World War I ace pilot Edward "Mick" Hancock, who was awarded the Victoria Cross medal posthumously. You can read about his life on a small poster in the centre.
Mon-Sat 9AM-5:30PM, Sun 10AM-4PMFree
Do
The Jamaican Story Garden
Homeowners Jonathan and Andreas have created a rather spellbinding miniature garden in front of their house. Hidden amongst the tropical plants is a model village depicting an idealised version of Nanny Town, where escaped slaves sought refuge from the British in the mountains of Jamaica. There are lots of hidden details that kids love to spot, from a venus fly trap and newts in the 'river', to a giant spider and stick men enjoying various activities. In summer, they open an outdoor pop-up café in the South East Asian-themed back garden, serving inventive drinks, cakes and lunches.
mid Spring-late summer daily dawn-dusk; just walk around at your leisure Café: Jul-Aug Sat Sun by reservationFree. Café items £2-5, high tea £21.50
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Organ recitals at the abbey
Annual series of six summer concerts, first Sunday of the month between May and October, and a special Advent concert. The Cavaillé-Coll organ is played by either resident organist Neil Wright or a guest recitalist.
Free, church collection
See
St Peter's Church
This Anglican church's crypt is believed to house the remains of many of the Earls of Anglesey, and it is a pretty Norman church in its own right, probably with Saxon origins. On one of the walls inside is the damaged remains of a medieval fresco depicting Saints Agnes, Eugenia, and Mary Magdalene, which was uncovered by accident in 1880 at roughly the same time the Empress moved into Farnborough; coincidence or Divine providence?
Free
Do
Ping Pong Parlour
Three indoor ping-pong tables, with bats and balls provided.
M-Sa 7:30AM-midnight, Su 9AM-midnightFree
SeeMuseum
Royal Army Physical Training Corps Museum
The Royal Army Physical Training Corps Museum is the regimental museum for the Royal Army Physical Training Corps (RAPTC) which is based in Aldershot in Hampshire. The museum is located in the grounds of the Army School of Physical Training on Fox Lines in the Military Town, and tells the story of the RAPTC from its foundation in the 1860s to the present day. The aim of the RAPTC Museum is to "educate the public and members of the Corps in the history and military accomplishments of the Corps and to promote military efficiency and encourage recruitment by public exhibit of the collection in a museum or museums or such other public places as the Trustees may from time to time decide, and to…
Closed · opens 10 am tomorrowFree entry

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Farnborough (CC BY-SA 4.0). Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Place data from Overture Maps. Some descriptions from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).